Behind the scenes at the EMO
In the event that a hurricane or a natural disaster strikes the Island, the Emergency Measures Organisation, better known as the EMO, is ready for action. The mission of the EMO is to co-ordinate the efforts of government offices, utility services and private agencies in protecting and preserving the life of the community before, during and after severe storms, hurricanes and other critical incidents; and to disseminate information to the public.
The organisation is comprised of a cross section of civil servants and other key members in the community and is currently chaired by the Minister of Labour, Home Affairs and Safety, Randolph Horton and directed by the Commissioner of Police, George Jackson.
Chief Inspector Tyrone Smith is the National Disaster Co-ordinator, a role he resumed in June of this year after a two-year absence from the post. According to Chief Smith: “There is a plan in place and it has standing instructions that are updated every year prior to the hurricane season.”
The group meets before the start of the annual hurricane season and whenever a storm threatens Bermuda’s shores, in order for a plan of action to be devised. Information is then disseminated to the public in a joint collaboration between the Department of Communications and Information and the Bermuda Police Service.
Follow-up meetings are also scheduled to occur at different phases of the hurricane.
“What happens after a meeting depends on the severity of the storm,” Chief Smith explains.
Advisories go out and the decision to close government offices and schools can be shared.
“We believe that prevention is better than cure,” he continues.
Communication is maintained between members of the organisation through the duration of the storm via telephone, and if phones go down and members are required, then police officers are sent out to bring them into the operations centre at Prospect.
Weather announcements are usually carried on all local television and radio stations and are preceded by a loud tone. Information is scrolled across the bottom of television screens, and is also broadcast on the emergency broadcast station, FM 100.1 MHz, says Chief Smith.
The organisation is also responsible for managing the emergency shelters, which are Berkeley Institute and CedarBridge Academy, as well as locations at the east and west ends of the Island. However, Chief Smith admits: “Experience shows that evacuees tend to go to a friend or family member.”
Fortunately, though, the need for evacuation is rare, Chief Smith acknowledges: “We don’t have the flooding problem like the US.” Those concerned about flooding can contact Works and Engineering to see their risk for flooding, most likely during storm surges at high tide.
Structural damage also tends to be limited to roof damage, thanks to the high standard of the building code, Chief Smith says.
Bermuda’s last big hurricane, Fabian, made landfall in Bermuda in September 2003. Chief Smith was the National Disaster Co-ordinator at the time and he reveals that the group learned several major lessons at the hand of Fabian:
After Fabian, there was a significant shortage in emergency supplies, such as tarpaulins, which are necessary in covering damaged homes. Fortunately, several private businesses were able to fly them in after the storm.
Fabian was the first storm in decades where there was a loss of life due to the storm surge washing over top of the road. The seriousness of the situation could have been compounded if Fabian hit the Island at high tide. Now, whenever dangerous or inclement weather is predicted, the Causeway is closed to all traffic.
Injury during storms can be avoided when people stay inside as it decreases the likelihood of being struck by flying debris. Bermudians also need to resist their natural curiosity by staying away from beaches and other coastal areas and the dangers posed by storm surge and collapsing shoreline.
